Switching device for a coin controlled machine

ABSTRACT

A switching device for a coin controlled machine in which a drive member, movable in unison with the coin slide, has two alternately selectable configurations for operating a pair of series connected switches that control the machine. In one configuration, the drive member displaces cams that actuate the switches to establish conduction through both switches after a given number of coin slide insertions. In the other configuration, the drive member engages contact members extending from the switches to establish conduction through both switches after a single coin slide insertion.

Unite States Patent [191 Greenwald et a1.

[451 May 22,1973

[ SWITCHING DEVICE FOR A COIN CONTROLLED MACHINE [75] Inventors: Harry Greenwald, Whitestone; Robert Tuppo, Elmhurst, both of [73] Assignee: Walter Kiddle & Company, Inc., Clifton, NJ.

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 202,506

[52] US. Cl. ..200/52 R, 194/9 R, 194/92,

ZOO/DIG. 3, 200/156 [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lh 13/58, G07f 5/10 [58] Field of Search ..200/DIG. 3, 156,

ZOO/61.69, 61.58, 153 J, 42 R, 52 R; 194/92, 9R,DIG.1,1Q,1R

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1959 Greenwald ..200/DlG 3 X 2,933,579 Schimer et al ..200/ 156 3 172,520 3/1965 Greenwald 194/9 R 3,231,059 l/l966 Hall ..l94/92 3,274,354 9/ l 966 Stevens ..200/ l 53 J X Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner--Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney-Irving Seidman et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A switching device for a coin controlled machine in which a drive member, movable in unison with the coin slide, has two alternately selectable configurations for operating a pair of series connected switches that control the machine. in one configuration, the drive member displaces cams that actuate the switches to establish conduction through both switches after a given number of coin slide insertions. In the other configuration, the drive member engages contact members extending from the switches to establish conduction through both switches after a single coin slide insertion.

8 Claims, 24 Drawing figures PATENTED HAY 2 2 I975 SHEET 1 OF 5 INVENTORS HARRY GREENWALD ROBERT TUPPO BY J 7 ATTORNEYS.

PATENTE MAYZZ ma SHEET 2 OF 5 FIG INVENTORS HARRY GREENWALD ROBERT TUPPO j ATTORNEYS.

PATENIEL m 2 2197s SHEET 3 [1F 5 |NVENT ORS ARRY GREENWALD ROBERT TUPPO BY TTORNEYS PATENIE mzzms SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTORS HARRY GREENWALD ROBERT TUPPO 3% I ATTORNEYS 1 SWITCHING DEVICE FOR A COIN CONTROLLED MACHINE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to coin controlled machines, and more particularly to a switching device for an electrically operated coin machine.

For reliable operation, including starting and stopping, of electrically powered coin machines, such as laundry machines and the like, it has been found advantageous to use a pair of series connected switches to control the on and off functions of the machine. Both switches must close for the machine to turn on, and either switch can be opened to turn the machine off.

It is advantageous to be able to use the same basic type of coin slide for machines that require different numbers of coin slide insertions. In the prior art, a standard coin slide, such as that shown by U. S. Pat. No. 2,964,599 and U. S. Pat. No. 3,489,259, was used in combination with customized switching devices to full fill the needs of diverse coin controllers.

The present invention provides a switching device for a coin controlled machine that can be conveniently set for operation with either a single coin slide insertion or a given multiplicity of insertions. To accomplish this,

the switching device has a drive member which is movable in unison with the coin slide and has two alternately selectable configurations for operating a pair of series connected switches that control the machine. In one configuration, the drive member displaces cams that actuate the switches to establish conduction through both switches after a given plurality of coin slide insertions. When set in the other configuration, the drive member engages contact members extending from the switches to establish conduction through both switches after a single coin slide insertion. Changeover from one configuration to the other is effected by exchange of an adapter releasably connected to the drive member at the end thereof.

For a better understanding of the invention and its several advantages reference should be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing which exemplify preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin control unit equipped with a switching device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and which is selectively adaptable for either double or single insertion coin slide operation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switching device in FIG. 1 as seen when removed from the coin control unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical circuit of the switching device of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the switching device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as seen in relation to the coin slide in the coin control unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 4 as taken along line 55 therein.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the switching device as taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 and showing in detail those parts pertaining to the operation of the normally closed switch in the device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the switching device as taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5 and showing in detail those parts pertaining to the operation of the normally open switch in the device.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the switching device showing the normally closed switch at the end of a first forward movement of the coin slide.

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the switching device showing the normally closed switch set in the open state as upon return of the coin slide on completion of the first insertion stroke thereof.

FIG. 10 is a detail view of the switching device showing the normally open, switch set and latched in the closed state as upon return of the coin slide on completion of the first insertion stroke thereof.

FIG. 11 is a detail view of the switching device showing the normally closed switch restored to the closed state at the completion of the second insertion stroke of the coin slide.

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the switching device showing the normally open switch latched in the closed state at completion of the second insertion stroke of the coin slide and preparatory to reset.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the working end portion of a typical coin slide equipped with an adapter used for single insertion operation.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the switching device therein converted for single insertion operation.

FIG. 15 is a detail view of the switching device illus trating how the coin slide parts shown in FIG. 13 effect single insertion operation of the switching device.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 5 and 14, but of a somewhat different switching device designed for only single insertion operation and which can be used in the coin control unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 16 taken along line l7-l7 therein.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 16 taken along line l8-l8 therein.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 16, but of a different switching device designed for triple insertion operation.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 19 taken along line 20-20 therein.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 19 as taken along line 21-21 therein.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 16 and 19, but of a different switching device designed for quadruple insertion operation.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 22 as taken along line 23-23 therein.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the switching device shown in FIG. 22 as taken along line 2424 therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a coin control unit 10 of the type commonly used in conjunction with laundry machines (not shown) and equipped with a conventional coin slide 11, coin box 12 and a switching device 13 of the invention. The switching device 13, for purposes of example, is an embodiment that is selectively adaptable for either double or single insertion operation of coin slide 11.

Switching device 13 is the combination of the parts installed upon sub-assembly 14, shown in FIG. 2, which is supported by the structure of unit 10, and a drive member 15 which is expediently made as part of coin slide 11.

As better appreciated by reference to FIGS. 2-15, switching device 13 has a pair of series connected switches S1 and S2 disposed in side-by-side relation to each other and actuated by corresponding cams C1 and C2. Cams C1, C2 are mounted on a common rotor shaft 16 that is supported by the sub-assembly 14 for rotation relative thereto. Also mounted on shaft 16 for rotation therewith in unison with cams C1, C2, are a ratchet gear 17 and an index gear 18. Associated with ratchet gear 17 are a ratchet plate 19, a spring 21 which biases plate 19 toward the position shown in FIG. 6, and a pawl wire 22 carried by plate 19 for turning gear 17. Associated with index gear 18 are a latching lever 23 and spring 24. Lever 23 is pivotally connected to sub-assembly 14 and biased by spring 24 into latching engagement with index gear 18.

Drive member 15 is disposed .for movement in unison with the coin slide 11 and has at its forward end a plate 25 releasably connected thereto by screws 26, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. In the operation of coin slide 11, whenever a coin is deposited, slide 11 and drive member 15 move in a forward direction indicated by arrow X and then move in the opposite direction to a return position. Thus, each coin slide movement cycle consists .of a prescribed forward coin slide movement and a return coin slide movement. Regardless of whether the machine under control is one requiring a single coin slide 11 insertion or one requiring multiple coin slide 11 insertions, it is important that no activation of the machine occur until after the required number of insertions have been completed.

In the operation of switching device 13, when drive member 15 moves forward, the leading edge of plate 25 bears against ratchet plate 19 and turns it relative to shaft 16 in the direction indicated by arrow Y, through a preset angular distance. The pawl 22 and ratchet gear 17 are so arranged that during this forward movement of drive member 15, shaft 16 does not turn, but on the return movement of drive member 15 the pawl 22 engages gear 17 and the plate 19 loaded by spring 21 rotatably indexes the shaft 16 and cams C1, C2 through an angular distance established by the index gear 18, latching lever 23 and spring 24 combination.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, for double insertion operation, six index teeth are provided on index gear 18 and a six-tooth ratchet gear 17 is used. Each return stroke of the slide 11 and drive member 15 advances the cams C1, C2 by 60.

As can be noted from FIG. 3, the switches S1 and S2 are each of the single pole, double throw type, with switch S1 being normally closed, and switch S2 being normally open and having an associated electrically releasable latch 27 that is operable to hold switch S2 in its closed state upon being set therein. The switches S1 and S2 are electrically connected in series such that electrical conduction through both switches S1, S2 as measured between terminals A and B will exist only when both switches S1, S2 are closed.

Cams Cl and C2 are so contoured that when displaced in accordance with the movement of coin slide 1 1, through the ratchet indexing mechanism hereinbefore described, they will actuate the switches S1, S2 respectively in a sequence that establishes conduction through both switches S1, S2 upon completion of a predetermined number of coin slide 11 insertions, in this particular embodiment, two insertions.

Under typical initial conditions, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, switch S1 is closed and switch S2 is open and latch 27 is released. At the end of drive member 15 forward travel in the first insertion cycle, shown in FIG. 8, the return movement of drive member 15 allows spring loaded indexing of cams C1, C2 such that cam C1 displaces the resilient, flexible arm 31 of switch S1 to a position corresponding to its open state (see FIG. 9), and cam C2 displaces the resilient, flexible arm 32 of switch S2 to a position corresponding to its closed state, in which position arm 32 is held by latch 27, (see FIG. 10). Thus, upon completion of the first insertion of the circuit through the two switches S1, S2 is still open.

Upon completion of the second insertion, switch S1 is reset to its normally closed state by cam C1, as shown in FIG. 11, and switch S2 is still held closed by latch 27 as shown in FIG. 12, to establish conduction through both switches S1, and S2, as required to turn on the machine under control. As can be seen from FIG. 12, cam C2 is so positioned in relation to arm 32, at completion of the second insertion, as to allow arm 32 to return to its normally open position when latch 27 is released by energizing its operating coil 33. Such release of latch 27 in effect resets switches S1, S2 to their normally closed and open states respectively, to prepare the machine under control for repeated operation. Energization of coil 33 for release of latch 27 can be accomplished by any conventional means (not shown), expediently furnished as a part of the machine under control.

The switching device 13 is conveniently converted for single coin slide insertion operation by exchanging the drive member 15 end plate 25 for an adapter plate 25A shown in FIG. 13. From FIGS. 1 and 6 it can be noted that the plate 25 used for double insertion operation is simply a rectangular plate that extends across the end of drive member 15 to present a continuous edge thereacross for engaging ratchet plate 19. In the single insertion mode of operation, the ratchet plate 19 is not used, because actuation of switches S1, S2 is effected through contact members 34, 35 respectively, each contact member 34, 35 being connected to a corresponding switch arm 31, 32 for support thereby. To avoid contact with ratchet plate 19, the adapter plate 25A has a clearance slot 36 and a similar slot 37 is provided in drive member 15. Also 37 has no effect upon the double insertion mode because it is covered -b plate 25.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate how the drive member 15 when in its second configuration effected by plate 25A is disposed to engage and displace the contact members 34, 35 to set both switches S1, S2 in their closed states upon completion of a single coin slide cycle. Each contact member 34, 35 is disposed in laterally spaced relation to the cam C1, C2 for the corresponding switch S1 S2, so that there is no interference with the operation of cams C1, C2 by contact members 34, 35 when switching device 13 is set in its first drive member 15 configuration for multiple insertion operation. Expediently, the cams C1, C2 and contact members 34, 35 are made of an insulating material, such as plastic, to simplify the electrical isolation of switches S1, S2 from each other except at their intended connections. For

better operation of switches S1, S2 by cams C1, C2 there are affixed to the free ends of the arms 31, 32, plastic wiper blocks 38, 39 respectively, and the connections of contact members 34, 35 to arms 31, 32 are made through corresponding blocks 38, 39.

Plate 25A is secured to drive member with the same screws 26 as are used for plate 25, and has a pair of downwardly projecting lips 40, 41 disposed for alignment with contact members 34, 35 respectively. Lips 40, 41 are wedge-shaped so that when drive member 15 moves forward, lip 40 will depress contact member 34 to open switch S1 and lip 41 will depress contact member 35 to latch switch S2 closed. The contour of lip 40 is shaped such that switch S1 will open slightly in advance of the closure of switch S2, so as to prevent conduction through both switches S1, S2 before the drive member 15 and coin slide 11 have executed their prescribed return movement. Upon completion of such return movement, the withdrawal of lip 40 allows switch S1 to return to its normally closed state.

The changeable configuration drive member 15 used in connection with the invention can also be used in connection with another switching device sub-assembly 14A, (shown in FIGS. 16-18) known in the prior art and used for single insertion operation. In assembly 14A there are a pair of switches 81A, 82A that are similar to S1 and S2 respectively, except for the omission of contact members 34, 35. Switches 81A, 82A are actuated by corresponding cams C3, C4 mounted on a rotor shaft 16A along with a spring-loaded plate 19A that is similar to ratchet plate 19 except that it is fixedly connected to shaft 16A and does not work any ratchet. When assembly 14A is used, the rectangular plate is installed on drive member 15 so that plate 19A will be turned by plate 25 in accordance with the movement of the coin slide drive member 15.

Forward motion of drive member 15 causes cam C3 to open the normally closed switch 81A and the cam CA to close the normally open switch 82A, the contours of cams C3 and C4 being such that switch SlA opens slightly before switch S2A closes.

Switch 82A is held closed by a releasable latch 27A similar to the latch 27, so that upon completion of the return movement of drive member 15, both switches 81A and 82A are closed.

The invention is not limited in its application to double-to-single insertion convertible switching devices but is adaptable to other multiple-to-single insertion convertible switching devices as well. In FIGS. 19-21 there is shown a triple-to-single insertion convertible switching device 138 that except for the contour of the switch actuating cams C18, C23, is the same structurally as switching device 13. The operation of switching device 13B is similar to that of switching device 13 except that simultaneous closure of both switches S1, S2 does not occur until completion of three coin slide insertion cycles.

FIGS. 22-24 show a quadruple-to-single insertion convertible switching device 13C that except for the contours of the switch actuating cams C1C, C2C and index gear 18C is the same structurally as switching devices 13, 138. Because the switches S1, S2 are not to close concurrently until after completion of four coin slide insertion cycles, eight index teeth are used on gear 18C and an eight tooth ratchet gear 17C is used. Each return movement of coin slide drive member 15 advances the cams C1C, C2C by 45.

Conversion of the triple insertion and quadruple insertion switching devices 13B, 13C to single insertion operation is the same as for conversion of the double insertion switching device 13, only adapter plate 25A is exchanged for the rectangular plate 25 used in multiple insertion operation.

From the foregoing, the artisan can appreciate that the switching device of the invention in essence is the combination of a plurality of series connected switches, S1, S2 actuated by cams, C1, C2 or ClB, C2B, or ClC, C2C displaced in accordance with the movement of a coin slide 11; a plurality of contact members 34, 35 each connected to a corresponding switch S1, S2 and extending therefrom to accommodate setting of the switch S1, S2 in a given state independently of the operation of the cams C1, C2 or counterparts; and a drive member 15 disposed for movement in unison with the coin slide 11 and which is adaptable to a selected one of a plurality of contact surface configurations. In one of these configurations attained by installation of the plate 25, the drive member 15 is disposed for displacing the cams C1, C2 or counterparts in accordance with coin slide 11 movement to establish conduction through all switches S1, S2 upon completion of a predetermined number of coin slide 11 cycles, i.e. two, three, four, etc. insertions.

In another of these configurations attained by installation of plate 25A, the drive member 15 disposed to engage and displace the contact members 34, 35 to set all switches S1, S2 in their closed states and thereby establish conduction through all switches S1, S2 upon completion of a single coin slide 11 cycle. Many obvious modifications and detail variations of the preferred embodiments of the invention exemplified herein are possible.

What is claimed is:

1. A switching device for a coin controlled machine which comprises in combination a plurality of series connected switches actuated by cams displaced in accordance with the movement of a coin slide, said cams disposed to actuate the switches in a sequence that establishes electrical conduction through all switches in the series upon completion of a predetermined number of coin slide movement cycles, a plurality of contact members each connected to a corresponding switch and extending therefrom to accommodate setting of the switch in a given state independently of the operation of said cams, a drive member disposed for movement in unison with said coin slide, said drive member selectively having one of a plurality of contact surface configurations, in one of these configurations said drive member disposed for displacing said cams in accordance with coin slide movement to establish conduction through all switches upon completion of such predetermined number of coin slide cycles, and in another of these configurations said drive member disposed to engage and displace said contact members to set all switches in their closed states and thereby establish conduction through all switches upon completion of a single coin slide cycle.

2. A switching device for a coin controlled machine which comprises in combination a pair of series connected switches disposed in side-by-side relation to each other and actuated by corresponding cams displaced in accordance with the movement of a coin slide, said cams disposed to actuate the switches in a sequence that establishes electrical conduction through both switches upon completion of a predetermined number of coin slide movement angles each consisting of a prescribed forward coin slide movement and a return coin slide movement, a pair of contact members each connected to a corresponding switch and extending therefrom to accommodate setting of the switch in a given state independently of the operation of said cams, a drive member disposed for movement in unison with said coin slide, said drive member selectively having one of two contact surface configurations, in the first of these configurations said drive member disposed for displacing said cams in accordance with coin slide movement to establish conduction through both switches upon completion of such predetermined number of coin slide cycles, in the second of these configurations said drive member disposed to engage and displace said contact members to set both switches in their closed states and thereby establish conduction through said switches upon completion of a single coin slide cycle.

3. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein one of said switches is a normally closed type, and the other of said switches is a normally open type, and the drive member when in its second configuration is disposed to engage the contact member for the normally open switch to open same during forward coin slide movement and to release said contact member for return of the switch to its normally open state during return coin slide movement.

4. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said drive member when in its first configuration is disposed to displace said cams without engaging said contact members. 1

5. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said switches each have a flexible arm that is connected to the corresponding contact member to support same, and is disposed for actuation movement by the corresponding cam.

6. A switching device according to claim 3 including releasable latching means associated with said normally open switch and operable to hold said switch in its closed state upon being set therein.

7. A switching device according to claim 3 wherein said contact members are disposed in laterally adjacent relation to the cams for corresponding switches.

8. A switching device according to claim 3 wherein said drive member is disposed to receive one releasably connected member for establishing said first contact surface configuration, and disposed to receive a different releasably connected member for establishing said second contact surface configuration. 

1. A switching device for a coin controlled machine which comprises in combination a plurality of series connected switches actuated by cams displaced in accordance with the movement of a coin slide, said cams disposed to actuate the switches in a sequence that establishes electrical conduction through all switches in the series upon completion of a predetermined number of coin slide movement cycles, a plurality of contact members each connected to a corresponding switch and extending therefrom to accommodate setting of the switch in a given state independently of the operation of said cams, a drive member disposed for movement in unison with said coin slide, said drive member selectively having one of a plurality of contact surface configurations, in one of these configurations said drive member disposed for displacing said cams in accordance with coin slide movement to establish conduction through all switches upon completion of such predetermined number of coin slide cycles, and in another of these configurations said drive member disposed to engage and displace said contact members to set all switches in their closed states and thereby establish conduction through all switches upon completion of a single coin slide cycle.
 2. A switching device for a coin controlled machine which comprises in combination a pair of series connected switches disposed in side-by-side relation to each other and actuated by corresponding cams displaced in accordance with the movement of a coin slide, said cams disposed to actuate the switches in a sequence that establishes electrical conduction through both switches upon completion of a predetermined number of coin slide movement angles each consisting of a prescribed forward coin slide movement and a return coin slide movement, a pair of contact members each connected to a corresponding switch and extending therefrom to accommodate setting of the switch in a given state independently of the operation of said cams, a drive member disposed for movement in unison with said coin slide, said drive member selectively having one of two contact surface configurations, in the first of these configurations said drive member disposed for displacing said cams in accordance with coin slide movement to establish conduction through both switches upon completion of such predetermined number of coin slide cycles, in the second of these configurations said drive member disposed to engage and displace said contact members to set both switches in their closed states and thereby establish conduction through said switches upon completion of a single coin slide cycle.
 3. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein one of said switches is a normally closed type, and the other of said switches is a normally open type, and the drive member when in its second configuration is disposed to engage the contact member for the normally open switch to open same during forward coin slide movement and to release said contact member for return of the switch to its normally open state during return coin slide movement.
 4. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said drive member when in its first configuration is disposed to displace said cams without engaging said contact members.
 5. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said switches each have a flexible arm that is connected to the corresponding contact member to support same, and is disposed for actuation movement by the corresponding cam.
 6. A switching device according to claim 3 including releasable latching means associated with said normally open switch and operable to hold said switch in its closed state upon being set therein.
 7. A switching device according to claim 3 wherein said contact members are disposed in laterally adjacent relation to the cams for corresponding switches.
 8. A switching device according to claim 3 wherein said drive memBer is disposed to receive one releasably connected member for establishing said first contact surface configuration, and disposed to receive a different releasably connected member for establishing said second contact surface configuration. 